How To Change A Flat

Anyone who’s trudged home in cleats can tell you: You need to know how to change your own flats. This simple skill can save you hours of frustration and plenty of calls for help. With these easy instructions (and some practice in your garage), you’ll be rolling again before you can say, “Uhhh… sweetie? Can you come get me?”

Step 1- Deflate the tube completely (if it hasn’t already).

Step 2– Use your tire levers to work one side of the bead off the rim. As you go, you’ll want to notice anything that could be the cause of your flat, so stay alert for any possible puncture-causers.

Step 3– Slide the tube out from under the tire. As you do so, lay the tube on top of the tire exactly where it came out. This way, you can line up any obvious punctures with their cause—whether it’s a thorn, piece of glass, slipped rim strip, or just a pinch flat.

Step 4– Once the whole tube is out, pump it up slightly. You’ll probably be able to see the tube deflating and hear where the air is hissing out. Notice the spot, and check the tire for any offending sharp objects. Don’t see any? Sweep out the inside of the tire to clear out any debris. Use a rag or your glove— a piece of glass stuck in the rubber can cause a nasty scratch. If your tire has a rim strip in place, check to make sure it covers all the sharp ends of your spokes.

Step 5- Once you’ve cleaned everything out, it’s time to put a new or patched tube in. Inflate your replacement tube slightly, so it just holds its shape. Put the valve through the rim, and tuck the rest of the tube in around the wheel. Once you’ve got it settled in the tire, start at the valve stem and work the tire bead back onto the rim. It might take some muscle to get the last bit on the rim, but don’t resort to using your tire levers. You could pinch the tube and get another flat, leaving you stranded. Instead, roll the tire on with your hands.

Step 6– Once the tire is seated, inflate slightly. Watch for any bulges occurring around the edge of the tire—if you see one, you’re only a few seconds away from a gunshot-loud blowout. Deflate, and NOW. That happens when the tire is on top of the tube, so wiggle the tire around a bit until it no longer bulges when inflated.